US7304568B2 - Vehicle night vision system - Google Patents

Vehicle night vision system Download PDF

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Publication number
US7304568B2
US7304568B2 US11/229,345 US22934505A US7304568B2 US 7304568 B2 US7304568 B2 US 7304568B2 US 22934505 A US22934505 A US 22934505A US 7304568 B2 US7304568 B2 US 7304568B2
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Prior art keywords
display unit
night vision
vision system
vehicle
operating state
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Expired - Fee Related, expires
Application number
US11/229,345
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English (en)
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US20060186347A1 (en
Inventor
Yoshimitsu Ishida
Osamu Ohkawara, deceased
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Honda Motor Co Ltd
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Honda Motor Co Ltd
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Assigned to HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD. reassignment HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: ISHIDA, YOSHIMITSU, OHKAWARA, NOBUKO (LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE OF DECEASED INVENTOR OSAMU OHKAWARA)
Publication of US20060186347A1 publication Critical patent/US20060186347A1/en
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Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R1/00Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
    • B60R1/20Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
    • B60R1/30Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles providing vision in the non-visible spectrum, e.g. night or infrared vision
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60QARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/02Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments
    • B60Q1/04Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights
    • B60Q1/14Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to illuminate the way ahead or to illuminate other areas of way or environments the devices being headlights having dimming means
    • B60Q1/1415Dimming circuits
    • B60Q1/1423Automatic dimming circuits, i.e. switching between high beam and low beam due to change of ambient light or light level in road traffic
    • B60Q1/143Automatic dimming circuits, i.e. switching between high beam and low beam due to change of ambient light or light level in road traffic combined with another condition, e.g. using vehicle recognition from camera images or activation of wipers
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R1/00Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
    • B60R1/20Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
    • B60R1/22Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles for viewing an area outside the vehicle, e.g. the exterior of the vehicle
    • B60R1/23Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles for viewing an area outside the vehicle, e.g. the exterior of the vehicle with a predetermined field of view
    • B60R1/24Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles for viewing an area outside the vehicle, e.g. the exterior of the vehicle with a predetermined field of view in front of the vehicle
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60QARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q2300/00Indexing codes for automatically adjustable headlamps or automatically dimmable headlamps
    • B60Q2300/20Indexing codes relating to the driver or the passengers
    • B60Q2300/21Manual control
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60QARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q2300/00Indexing codes for automatically adjustable headlamps or automatically dimmable headlamps
    • B60Q2300/30Indexing codes relating to the vehicle environment
    • B60Q2300/31Atmospheric conditions
    • B60Q2300/314Ambient light
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60QARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q2300/00Indexing codes for automatically adjustable headlamps or automatically dimmable headlamps
    • B60Q2300/30Indexing codes relating to the vehicle environment
    • B60Q2300/33Driving situation
    • B60Q2300/337Tunnels or bridges
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R1/00Optical viewing arrangements; Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
    • B60R1/20Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles
    • B60R1/31Real-time viewing arrangements for drivers or passengers using optical image capturing systems, e.g. cameras or video systems specially adapted for use in or on vehicles providing stereoscopic vision
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R2300/00Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle
    • B60R2300/10Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the type of camera system used
    • B60R2300/105Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the type of camera system used using multiple cameras
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R2300/00Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle
    • B60R2300/10Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the type of camera system used
    • B60R2300/106Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the type of camera system used using night vision cameras
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R2300/00Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle
    • B60R2300/10Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the type of camera system used
    • B60R2300/107Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the type of camera system used using stereoscopic cameras
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R2300/00Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle
    • B60R2300/20Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the type of display used
    • B60R2300/205Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the type of display used using a head-up display
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R2300/00Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle
    • B60R2300/30Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the type of image processing
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R2300/00Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle
    • B60R2300/40Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the details of the power supply or the coupling to vehicle components
    • B60R2300/404Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the details of the power supply or the coupling to vehicle components triggering from stand-by mode to operation mode
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R2300/00Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle
    • B60R2300/80Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the intended use of the viewing arrangement
    • B60R2300/8053Details of viewing arrangements using cameras and displays, specially adapted for use in a vehicle characterised by the intended use of the viewing arrangement for bad weather conditions or night vision

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a vehicle night vision system which captures the image of the road ahead of the vehicle by using an infrared camera and displays the captured image on an onboard image display typically consisting of a head-up-display to assist the vehicle operator's vision at night or when it is otherwise dark.
  • a primary object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle night vision system which can be activated only at appropriate time.
  • a second object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle night vision system which is easy to operate and would not distract the vehicle operator.
  • a vehicle night vision system comprising; an infrared camera mounted on a part of a vehicle body; an onboard display unit for displaying at least an image captured by the infrared camera; an illumination sensor adapted to detect an illumination level exterior of the vehicle body; and a control unit for displaying an image captured by the infrared camera on the display unit and controlling the display unit according to an output signal from the illumination sensor; wherein the control unit activates the display unit when an illumination level detected by the illumination sensor has persisted to be below a prescribed level for a prescribed period of time.
  • the display unit is activated only when an illumination level below the prescribed level has persisted for more than the prescribed period of time, the display unit would not be activated when the low illumination level lasts only for a short period of time and the night vision system would not be required. Therefore, when the vehicle passes through a short tunnel during daytime, the display unit would not be activated and the vehicle operator is prevented from being unnecessarily distracted. On the other hand, when the vehicle passes through a long tunnel or when the sun has set and the illumination level of the road ahead is low, the night vision system is activated without fail, and assists the vehicle operator's vision.
  • the vehicle night vision system may further comprise an operating mode selection switch that includes a position for a synchronizing mode for associating an operation of the display unit with the output signal from the illumination sensor and a position for a manual mode for manually determining an operation of the display unit.
  • the night vision system further comprises a manual command switch for selectively activating and deactivating the display unit when the synchronizing mode is selected by the operating mode selection switch.
  • This manual command switch may also be adapted to manually terminate an operation of the display unit without regard to the operating mode selected by the operating mode selection switch. It is also possible to provide these manual command switches as two separate switches.
  • the display unit is adapted to be deployed in an operating state and retracted in a non-operating state, and comprises a head up display unit.
  • FIG. 1 is a transparent view of an automobile incorporated with a night vision system embodying the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the night vision system according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a front view of the speedometer
  • FIG. 4 is a time chart for illustrating the mode of operation of the night vision system in the synchronizing mode.
  • FIG. 5 is a time chart for illustrating the mode of operation of the night vision system in the manual mode.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 generally illustrate a vehicle night vision system embodying the present invention.
  • This night vision system 1 comprises an infrared camera 2 mounted centrally on a front end of an automobile, an illumination sensor 3 mounted on a suitable part of the vehicle body to detect the illumination of the exterior of the vehicle body, a combination switch 4 mounted on a steering column for the control of the headlights and other lamps of the automobile, a head-up display (HUD) 5 typically consisting of a concave mirror that is retractably mounted centrally on the dashboard or any other place visible from the driver's seat, and a control unit 6 which controls the overall operation of the system.
  • HUD head-up display
  • the infrared camera 2 may consist of two cameras so that a stereoscopic view can be captured and the distance to the object may be measured. It is also possible to provide an arrangement for pointing the camera 2 in a desired direction depending on the running condition of the vehicle and attitude of the vehicle body.
  • the control unit 6 comprises a night vision control unit 7 and a lamp/instrument panel control unit 8 .
  • the night vision control unit 7 comprises an image processing circuit for extracting necessary information from the image captured by the infrared camera 2 and converting the extracted information into pixel data that can be displayed on an LCD panel 9 , a driver circuit for controlling the position of the infrared camera 2 and the operation of an elevating device 10 for the HUD 5 and a manual command signal processing circuit for processing manual command signals produced from a manual command switch 11 which may consist of pushbuttons or the like typically provided in an appropriate part of the instrument panel.
  • the lamp/instrument panel control unit 8 comprises a lamp control circuit for controlling the turning on and off of lamps 12 (which may include headlights and instrument panel illumination lamps) according to the signal from the illumination sensor 3 and signals from the combination switch 4 , an operating mode setup circuit (customized circuit) for selecting the synchronization/de-synchronization of the night vision system 1 according to the signal from the illumination sensor 3 and signal from the lamp system depending on the position of an operating mode selection switch 13 selected by the vehicle operator and a driver circuit for a multi-information display (MID; see FIG.
  • MID multi-information display
  • the lamp/instrument panel control unit 8 is activated by the ON signal of an ignition switch 16 .
  • the combination switch 4 is not different from a known combination switch in including a manual switch for selecting one of three positions including an off position for turning off all of the lamps, a small position for turning on the tail lamps and small lamps, and a headlight position for turning on the tail lamps, small lamps and headlights, and a dimmer switch for switching the headlights between high beam and low beam.
  • the combination switch 4 further includes a light control model selection switch which selects an auto mode for automatically turning on and off the headlights depending on the output signal from the illumination sensor 3 or a manual mode for turning on and off the headlights only when the vehicle operator turns on and off the headlights by operating the combination switch 4 .
  • the user can select a synchronization mode in which the HUD 5 is activated automatically according to the signal from the illumination sensor 3 and a manual mode in which the HUD 5 is activated only at the command of the user.
  • the user can select an auto mode in which the headlights are turned on and off according to the signal from the illumination sensor 3 and a manual mode in which the lamps 12 are turned on and off only at the command of the user.
  • the operation of the HUD 5 or lamps 12 are controlled according to the signal from the illumination sensor 13 .
  • the ignition switch 16 is turned on as shown in FIG. 4 .
  • the synchronization mode is selected for the night vision system and the auto mode is selected for the lamp system.
  • the lamps 12 are automatically turned on (a). If this state persists for more than a prescribed time period (30 seconds, for instance), the HUD 5 is deployed (b). If desired, a warning may be displayed on the MID 15 a short period of time (5 seconds, for instance) before the deployment of the HUD 5 . If the output signal level of the illumination sensor 3 is already below the prescribed level when the ignition switch 16 is turned on, the HUD 5 is deployed immediately.
  • the lamps are automatically turned off and the HUD 5 is retracted into the instrument panel (c).
  • a warning may be displayed on the MID 15 a short period of time (5 seconds, for instance) before the retraction of the HUD 5 .
  • the HUD 5 is deployed on the instrument panel if the illumination level as detected by the illumination sensor 3 continues to be below the prescribed level for the prescribed period of time without regard to the state of the lamps 12 (d, e). If the manual mode is selected for the lamp system and the lamps 12 are not turned on even though the illumination sensor 3 indicates an illumination level below the prescribed level, the HUD 5 would not be deployed and a message for soliciting the vehicle operator to turn on the headlights is displayed on the MID 15 .
  • the HUD 5 When the illumination sensor 3 detects the illumination level rising from a level below the prescribed level to a level above the prescribed level such as when the vehicle has passed a tunnel, even when the lamps 12 are kept turned on, the HUD 5 is immediately retracted into the instrument panel (f). If the manual command switch 11 for the night vision system is turned on while the illumination sensor 3 detects an illumination level above the prescribed level, the HUD 5 would not be deployed, and a message indicating that the use of the night vision system is prohibited during daytime is displayed on the MID 15 (g).
  • the HUD 5 When the vehicle passes through a short tunnel, it is possible that the illumination level below the prescribed level continues only for a short period of time which is less than the prescribed period of time. In such a case, the HUD 5 remains retracted throughout the time the vehicle passes through the tunnel (h, i). In other words, if the illumination level detected by the illumination sensor 3 does not persist for more than the prescribed period of time (30 seconds), the HUD 5 is kept retracted in the instrument panel. Conversely, if the illumination level persists to be below the prescribed level for more than the prescribed time period (30 seconds) such as when the vehicle has entered a relatively long tunnel, the HUD 5 is deployed without regard to the state of the lamps 12 (j, k).
  • the HUD 5 When the vehicle has moved out of the tunnel and the illumination level has risen above the prescribed level, the HUD 5 is immediately retracted without regard to the state of the lamps. This mode of operation is similar to that described earlier in connection with the operation of the night vision system at the time when the sun has set and risen (a-c).
  • the manual switch 11 (which consists of a temporary switch) is pressed when the HUD 5 is being deployed on the instrument panel as is the case when the illumination sensor 3 has detected an illumination level below the prescribed level for the prescribed period of time or when the HUD 5 is already deployed, the existing command is overridden and the HUD 5 is immediately retracted into the instrument panel (l). This state is maintained without regard to the state of the output signal from the illumination sensor and the state of the lamps until the ignition switch 16 is turned off.
  • the ignition switch is turned off, the manual mode of the night vision system is canceled, and the night vision system is activated in the synchronization mode when the ignition switch is turned on next time, and the HUD 5 operates in dependence on the output signal of the illumination sensor 3 (n).
  • the manual command switch 11 can shut down the night vision system even when the HUD 5 is being deployed or is already deployed according to the output signal from the illumination sensor 3 in the synchronization mode.
  • the ignition switch 16 is turned off, this state of manual override is canceled.
  • this manual override is intended mainly as a measure for the time of an emergency, it is also possible to arrange, for instance by suitably rewriting the software, such that the synchronization mode can be regained by pushing a pushbutton of a keyless entry system or other actions as well as by turning off the ignition switch 16 .
  • the HUD 5 When the manual mode is selected, without regard to the operating mode of the lamp system, the HUD 5 is deployed as soon as the vehicle operator turns on the manual command switch 11 (b) provided that the ignition switch 16 is turned on and the illuminating sensor 3 indicates a level of illumination below the prescribed level (a).
  • the HUD 5 When an illumination level above the prescribed level is detected by the illumination sensor such as when the sun has risen while the night vision system is operating, the HUD 5 is automatically retracted into the instrument panel even when the lamps 12 may continue to be turned on (c).
  • the HUD 5 When an illumination level below the prescribed level is detected by the illumination sensor 3 such as when the vehicle is in a tunnel, the HUD 5 will be deployed only if the vehicle operator has turned on the manual command switch 11 (d, e).
  • the HUD 5 When an illumination level below the prescribed level persists for a prolonged period of time such as when the vehicle is in a long tunnel or when the sun has set (g), if the vehicle operator turns on the manual command switch 11 , the HUD 5 is deployed without regard to the state of the lamps 12 (h). If the lamps are turned off at such a time, a message saying the headlights should be turned on is displayed on the MID 15 and a night vision may be displayed on the HUD 5 only after the headlights 12 are turned on.
  • the HUD 5 is immediately retracted into the instrument panel (i).
  • each one-shot pulse produced by the manual command switch 11 causes the toggle action of the HUD 5 between the deployed position and retracted position.
  • a warming may be displayed on the MID 15 before deploying the HUD 5 and/or retracting the HUD 5 .
  • an interrupt routine may be used in the control program to speed up the process of displaying the image on the HUD 5 .
  • the manual command switch consisted of a temporary switch adapted to produce a one-shot pulse, but it may be replaced with a toggle switch so that the deploy/retract movement of the HUD 5 may be executed simply by throwing the switch in the corresponding direction.
  • a toggle switch may also consist of an alternating pushbutton switch having a pair of pushbuttons which can be depressed only in an alternate fashion.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closed-Circuit Television Systems (AREA)
  • Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)
US11/229,345 2004-09-17 2005-09-16 Vehicle night vision system Expired - Fee Related US7304568B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2004270769A JP4351132B2 (ja) 2004-09-17 2004-09-17 車載用暗視装置
JP2004-270769 2004-09-17

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US7304568B2 true US7304568B2 (en) 2007-12-04

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Cited By (3)

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US20080297374A1 (en) * 2007-05-30 2008-12-04 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Vehicle imaging system and vehicle control apparatus
US20090174533A1 (en) * 2008-01-05 2009-07-09 Upton Beall Bowden Instrumentation Assembly For A Vehicle
US20130286204A1 (en) * 2012-04-30 2013-10-31 Convoy Technologies Corp. Motor vehicle camera and monitoring system

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DE102007050588A1 (de) * 2007-10-23 2009-07-02 Daimler Ag Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Steuerung einer Nachtsichteinrichtung und eines Scheinwerfers eines Fahrzeugs
US20120169582A1 (en) * 2011-01-05 2012-07-05 Visteon Global Technologies System ready switch for eye tracking human machine interaction control system
CN105224272B (zh) * 2015-09-24 2019-12-10 宇龙计算机通信科技(深圳)有限公司 一种图像显示方法及汽车显示装置
CN105799593B (zh) * 2016-03-18 2019-01-25 京东方科技集团股份有限公司 车辆辅助行驶装置
GB201604936D0 (en) * 2016-03-23 2016-05-04 Jaguar Land Rover Ltd Adaptive display for low visibility

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US6795237B1 (en) * 2003-06-02 2004-09-21 Ford Motor Company Overhead console active night vision system for an interior cabin of a vehicle
US20050065683A1 (en) * 2003-08-27 2005-03-24 Ford Motor Company Active night vision control system
US6967569B2 (en) * 2003-10-27 2005-11-22 Ford Global Technologies Llc Active night vision with adaptive imaging
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US4236099A (en) * 1979-03-05 1980-11-25 Irving Rosenblum Automatic headlight system
US6611610B1 (en) * 1997-04-02 2003-08-26 Gentex Corporation Vehicle lamp control
US6587573B1 (en) * 2000-03-20 2003-07-01 Gentex Corporation System for controlling exterior vehicle lights
JP2003040033A (ja) 2001-07-31 2003-02-13 Toyota Motor Corp 視界補助装置
US20050269481A1 (en) * 2002-08-05 2005-12-08 Elbit Systems Ltd. Vehicle mounted night vision imaging system and method
US6795237B1 (en) * 2003-06-02 2004-09-21 Ford Motor Company Overhead console active night vision system for an interior cabin of a vehicle
US20050065683A1 (en) * 2003-08-27 2005-03-24 Ford Motor Company Active night vision control system
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US20080297374A1 (en) * 2007-05-30 2008-12-04 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Vehicle imaging system and vehicle control apparatus
US8659406B2 (en) * 2007-05-30 2014-02-25 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Vehicle imaging system and vehicle control apparatus
US20090174533A1 (en) * 2008-01-05 2009-07-09 Upton Beall Bowden Instrumentation Assembly For A Vehicle
US20130286204A1 (en) * 2012-04-30 2013-10-31 Convoy Technologies Corp. Motor vehicle camera and monitoring system
US9058706B2 (en) * 2012-04-30 2015-06-16 Convoy Technologies Llc Motor vehicle camera and monitoring system

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US20060186347A1 (en) 2006-08-24
JP2006082736A (ja) 2006-03-30
JP4351132B2 (ja) 2009-10-28

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